Journey to the center of the earth (well not quite), but 410 feet below sea level sea level in Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression is closer than one normally reaches. In this most inhospitable of places one finds a most surreal beauty. Volcanic fumaroles spew vapor with the smell of sulfur and manganese, potash, iron ore provide these colors. The air temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the bubbling water scalding, the colors (natural, no filters or enhancement) and experience one of the most memorable I’ve ever had.
#champacajourneys#ethiopia#ethiopiatravel#danakil#travel#adventuretravel#culturetravel#gaytravel#wanderlust#natgeo#travelgram

I went to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and stunned by its architectural structures. It is now used as a cruise terminal formerly the runway of Kai Tak Airport. They now converted it into a long hallway and a park mainly for local residents form family time accompanying with an aeroplane displayed on a small grassland. A couple of displays for the history of the airport also displayed in the long hallway and the end of the park nearyby the coastline.

The best things in life usually come at the intersection of the two opposite
Art is the only serious thing in the world. And the artist is the only person who is never serious. Oscar Wilde
#quote#ideasrex

Priest at Abuna Yemata Guh Church in Tigray, Ethiopia. Built in 5th century, the rock hewn cave churches vaulted ceilings are decorated with beautiful frescoes. Yet it’s the ascent that is harrowing, taking an 1.5 hours to scale a cliff face, including one section where ropes are used to help negotiate a 20 foot vertical rock wall, other sections with 600 foot drops. My guests said the ascent was the most frightening endeavor they’d ever undertaken. I’m proud of them for being such good sports and great cliff climbers. Not for the faint of heart.
#champacajourneys#ethiopia#ethiopiatravel#travel#adventuretravel#culturetravel#gaytravel#natgeo#wanderlust#travelgram

Blessed arepas.
Arepas are a staple in Colombian cuisine. Sort of like a corn tortilla but thicker and sturdier. Here, in a small mountain village shop, they make arepas to distribute throughout the country.
This was one of our stops on an off-the-beaten-path food tour. For more great day trips from Medellin, visit our blog post! **LINK IN PROFILE** Have you tried arepas?

How much is in the imagination and how much is just a passive reaction to the external stimuli as quoted Ansel Adams. “You don't take a photograph, you make it”
I think that this is incredibly universal, we make everything, if we are sufficiently inquisitive to try and understand it before #ideasrex#quote

Candelabra Euphorbia growing in the Queen of Sheba’s garden, Axum, Ethiopia. And here’s where the story get murky. The Queen lived 3000 years ago. Though many dispute even her existence. But follow along for a moment. She traveled to Israel to meet King Solomon. And returned to Ethiopia pregnant with his son who she named Menelik. Thus was born the Solomonic dynasty that ruled Ethiopia until 1976, Haile Selassie being the last emperor. And local lore in Axum holds this the site of her palace, and indeed archaeologists have unearthed a substantial building in this very place. Most Ethiopians buy the story of the Queen. Archaeologists not so much. And palace and garden or not, this tree not part of the original landscaping. But pretty. And Ethiopia enchanting. Join us our next Ethiopian adventure in May 2019 and draw your own conclusions.
#champacajourneys#ethiopia#ethiopiatravel#axum#travel#culturetravel#gaytravel#natgeo#wanderlust#travelgram

I walk the streets of every country, city, town, village, or cave I enter and keep my eyes peeled for people who may know a thing or two about adversity. In America, it seems many of us at times (including myself) lack the gaul to face it without complaining or whining about how bad it is but every now and then I’ll come across someone who faces obstacles and smiles knowing they’ll become even stronger when they hurdle over them. She goes by One Wing... I met her while she was living in the back of a uhaul with her two kids. Not one sad sorrow to sell, not one “can you help me”... nothing but smiles came from her and laugh from her children. They understood their circumstances and knew they were better now than where they were months before. Her story blew my mind as she spoke personally to me. She inspired me and became one of those angels I may never see again. I thought my life was in the sticks when we met, but her story put me in check.
.
.
.
.
.
#inspired#atlanta#simpsonrd#westend#motivated#atl#onewing#kidxkam#kidonthekam#explore#culturetravel#realtruth#family#hardtimes#blessed#godblessthem#helpmefindthem#love#reality#truth#streetportrait#wearethestreets